Tank truck



Jan. 1; 1929.

F. L. HAYES TANK TRUCK Filed May 7, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet n/N VEN OR "'7 A TTOR NE Y Jan. 1,1929. T596554 F. L HAYES TANK TRUCK File M y 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N A- F o N m Us (h S m o J N. US a H a; W

W N I\ N. \P N a e J )v INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 11,1929.

F. L. HAYES TANK TRUCK 4 7 Y Z 5 M. 4 ll. m M I. V. R J a 4 f E v m m 1 r|| y 1 ,W. 7 M m w 3 w m w 3 I m 7 Y B 7 I 4 3 g H 1 M w n g 9 v w a E w Jan. I, 1929. 1,696,954

F. L. HAYES TANK TRUCK Filed May 7, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR Zia [7% A TTOR NE Y Patented-Jan. 1 1929.

UNITED STATES FRED LAWRENC HAYES, or PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, RY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CHARLES HEN Y IBICKELL, or PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY.

m TRUCK.

Application filed May 7,

,ofl by gravityinto buckets or through hose In order to safe to storage containers. guard the outlets, emergency valves are commonly provided, which are operated either individually from the top of the tank or collectively by some control mechanism.

Inspite of the safety featuresthat have been devised for these vehicle tanks, they are deemed unsafe by some city authorities,-

and where thishas been the case they have been forbidden to operate and deliveries of gas line are required to be made from drums carr ed on stake wagons. This'method' of delivery is inconvenient and uneconomical,

,and not without serious elements of danger,

which will suggest themselves,for example, the strikingof the drums against each oth'eron the wagon, the possibility'of a drum being dropped to thestreet, the leakstreets and acceptable to city aut age which commonly occurs when a drum is opened, the failure at times to replace the. bung in an empty drum contaming explosive vapors and some residue-gasoline,

etc. I.

This invention is accordingly directed to the provision of a novel type oftank truck, which will be entirely safe'uplon city orities. The tank of this truck preferably includes a plurality" of compartments formed by partition walls and having delivery pipe, to which a hose may; be 0011-.

individual discharge lines or pipes leadmg to a common nected. The individual pipes of the different compartments constitute the intake limbs of a siphon and in the siphon connection is provided a pump by which siphonic flow can be initlated. A by-pass I around this pump is also provided to permit siphonic' flow tocontinue, once it has been started. Associated with each compartment is a control valve and these valves are oper 192s; Serial No. 637,045.

able selectively so that liquid from any selected compartment can be discharged at will siphonically, while the other, compartcharge 'of highly combustible liquid upon the streets, and all necessity for emergency valves, together with the active safeguardmg agency afforded by the fire-fighting plant fintegrally connected with the tank and further provided with an external branch. y

These and other features will become apparent asthe specification proceeds, and it will naturally be understood that in some cases less than the complete, preferred combination of elements may be employed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a art hereof: I

ig. 1 is aside elevation of a tank truck embod ing the invention, certain parts of the ve icle being incompletely shown;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing the delivery hosev and fire-fighting hose brought out from the vehicle and. wrth their intermediate portions broken away;

. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section;

Fig. 4;,is a plan view illustrating amechanism for driving the compressor and the pump of the two systems'on the truck from the power plant on the truck; and

Fig. 5 is a. vertical transverse sectional view taken through .one side of the tank vehicle, showing the delivery hose connected up to the fillpipe of an underground tank and the electric cable which grounds the vehicle tank and the .hose to the underground tank in order to dissipate the static electricityl that may be generated by the flow'of t e liquid.

Upon the vehicle frame 1 is mounted the I longitudinally extending tank 2,.cradled in bolsters 3. At opposite sides of the tank,

on the-ends of the bolsters, are runningboards 4, as usual, having railings or the like 5. The power plant of the truck is represented by the drive shaft 6 leading to the transmission case 7.

A power take-off 8, of familiar nature, projecting from the transmission case, drives a longitudinal shaft 9 containing universal joints, this shaft being bevel-geared to a transverse shaft 10 journaled in bearings on a cross frame member 11, to drive by bevel gears another longitudinal shaft 12 adjacent one of the side walls. By this or equivalent gearing the power of the engine for driving the vehicle is utilized when the vehicle is stationary for operating the two systems which will be described.

The tank 2 is divided by transverse partitions 13 into numerous separate equal compartments 2 (five are shown) of unit capacity, most desirably two hundred gallons each; and the bottoms, sides and ends of.

the tank and its compartments are entirely closed. Within the several compartments are vertical pipes or branches 14, having the inlets 15 at their lower ends in pockets 15 in the bottom, in order to insure full delivery of the contents of each compartment to the customers. The pipes 14 extend upward through the top of the tank, above which they have lateral extensions 16, which are united to a longitudinal manifold pipe 17 running along the top of the tank at one side of the manhole domes .18 of the several compartments. Valves 19 in the extensions 16 enable an one of the branches 14 to be opened to t e manifold, while the other branches remain shut off. Operating connections, represented schematically at 20 in Fig.2, preferably extend from the valves to the cab 21 or forward part of the vehicle, so that the valves may be operated from a convenient point.

The forward end of the manifold connects with the suction inlet of a pump 22 mounted on a bracket 23 at the front of the tank, and from the discharge of this pump a fixed deliver pipe 24 extends downward at one side of t e vehicle terminating at about the height of the under-frame in an out-turned nozzle 25 formed for the reception of the hose coupling 26. The hose 27 attached to this coupling is equipped at its opposite end with a coupling 28 for the purpose of making tight screw connection with the upper end 0 the fill, pipe 29 of an underground tank. When,the vehicle is traveling, the

hose, which remains connected with the nozzle 25, is disposed upon the adjacent runningboard or in other suitable manner on the vehicle. A valve 30 in the lower part of the fixed pipe 24 enablesthe discharge of liquid to be shut ofi quickly in case of need.

A11 electric cable 31, preferably of bare copper Wire, causes the tank, piping and hose to be automatically grounded to the underground tank when the hose is coupled thereto, so that. any static electricity is drawn to earth as it is generated, and consequently can not accumulate to be discharged in a s Dark across an a that mi ht occur. One

to keep it in place, but on .detaching the clip 33 the hose may be removed, leaving the cable attached to the fixed pipe in readiness to be attached to a new hose.

A reservoir 34 containing fire-extinguishing compound is' mounted onv the vehicle frame at the front of the tank, and is kept under air-pressure supplied as needed by a compressor 35 connected by an air line 36 with the top of the interior of the reservoir. Piping 37 extends from near the bottom of the reservoir outward and upward to the top of the tank 2, where it passes longitudinally rearward at the opposite sides of the domes 18 from the manifold 17. This portion of the piping also constitutes a manifold, marked 38, which is connected with the up per parts of the interiors of the several tank compartments 2 by short branches 39 which are secured to openings in the sides of the domes. A readily accessible valve 40 at the outlet from the extinguisher reservoir is kept normally closed, and upon opening it the air space in the gasoline compartment can be at once filled with flame-extinguishing froth or vapor, or liquid from the reservoir can be injected to float upon the surface of the gasoline.

The branch of the fire-fighting line which extends upward to the top of the gasoline tank is equipped with a valve 41, which enables this part of the system to be shut ofi and another branch 42, equipped with a similar valve 43, extends from the piping 37 to a hose-box 44 which is suspended below the running-board at the side adjacent to the group of control valves. The box is provided with side doors 45 and with a hose rack on which a small-diameter hose 46 is coiled, the inlet end of this hose being constantly coupled to the end of the branch 42 within the box. In case of fire on the street or elsewhere outside of the vehicle. the firehose can be immediately pulled out of the box, the valves 40 and 43 being opened and the valve 41*closed, and the nozzle 47 on the end of the hose can be moved about as required to direct the fire-smothering stream upon the blaze.

The two systems for delivering the oil' or gasoline and for extinguishing any fire that may arise therefrom, are preferably interconnected in the following manner: From the pipe 36 there extends a by-pass power pipe 48 to the piping 37 entering the latter above the valve 41. This by-pass is equipped with a shut-off valve 49, which is ordinarily closed. Another short pipe 50 connects the pipe 17 with the pipe-24, bypassing the pump 22, and also contains a normally closed valve 51. In event of failure of the pump, the valves 49 and 51 can be opened, the compressor being in operation, and this will admit compressed air to' the top of the tank compartment whose valve 19 is open, the pressure being sufficient to elevate the oil orgasoline through the pipe 14, to run out through thepiping 17 and 24. With a similar organization the pump 22 could be dispensed with entirely if desired. A valve 56 enables the pump to be shut ofi.

The pipes 14, 17, 24. and intermediate connections constitute a. multiple siphon, of

which the pipes 14 represent short, or intake, legs, While the pipe 24 and its hose represent the long, or delivery leg. .When the siphon has been primed or started by means of the pump 22, the valve 51 in the by-pass 50 can be opened andthe pump stopped, and thelflow will then continue by virtue of gravity and atmospheric pressure.

The "shaft 12, which has been referred to,

bears two loose pulleys or drive elements 52 and 53 having clutch faces which can be engaged, either one or neither, by a double clutch element 54 slidably keyed to the shaft. The ulley 52 being belted to a pulley 55 on the compressor 35 and the pulley 53 to the pump 22, either of these pieces of apparatus can be driven from' the clutch 1s in neutral position both are ,at rest. The pum 22 may be a measurin pun] capable of Being set to deliver any desir'ed quantity of liquid and then stop, and to registerv on a counter the amount delivered.

Such pumpsare well-known. In that event less than two hundred gallon lots (if that be the capacity of each compartment) can be sold, or, with somewhat less safety, the compartments might be larger or there might be only onetank'interior.

" This completes a description of the construction and mode of operation ofa preferred embodiment of the invention, but I wish-it to be understood that 'I do not limit myself to the precise form and arrangement substitutions may be made.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a tank-truck, thecombination with the tank and delivery piping terminating in a hose connection, a hose attached to said connection and havin a coupling at its far end, and a 01m in g cable connected at one end to t e delivery piping on and that various changes, omissions an lant of the machine, and when the the truck and at the opposite end detachabl connected to the coupling on the far en of the hose.

2. A gasoline delivery vehicle having in combination multiple tank compartments on the vehicle, pipes in the respective compartments constituting intake 'limbs of a siphon, a delivery limb on the vehicle, a pump connected'in the siphon so as to be adapted to start the siphon flow from any one of the compartments, and means for selecting the compartments.

" partments constituting intake limbs of a siphon, a delivery limb on the vehicle, a

common pipe arranged to interconnect the several intake limbs with the delivery limb, selector valves interposed between said common pipe and the respective intake pipes, and a ump connected in the siphon beyond said selector valves.

5. A gasoline delivery vehicle having in combination multiple tank compartments on the vehicle, pipes in the respective compartments constituting intake limbs of a siphon, a delivery limb on the vehicle, a common pi e arranged to interconnect the several inta e limbs with the delivery limb,

selector valves interposed between said common pipe and the respective intake pipes, a pump connected between said common pipe and the delivery limb, and means for y-passing the pump. a 6. A gasoline delivery vehicle having multiple-tank compartments with pockets in their bottoms, pipes in the respective compartments having their intake ends in said pockets and constituting intake limbs ofa siphon, a delivery limb on the vehicle, a

pump connected in the siphonv so as to be adapted to start thefsiphon flow from any one of the compartments, and means for selectin the com' artments.

7 gasoline elivery vehicle having multiple-tank compartments 'of given capaeity with pockets in their bottoms, pipes inethe respective compartments having their intakeends in said pockets and constituting intake limbs of a siphon, a delivery 'limb on the vehicle, a common ipe interconnecting the several intake lim s and the delivery limb, selector valves interposed between said common pipeand the' respective intake pipes, a pump connected with the siphon beiZiU tion with said pipes turning downward at one side of the tank, valves for opening and closing said branches independently, a manitold pipe extending longitudinally of the tank body and connected with the several branches, a single outlet on the vehicle connected by a passage with the manifold pipe.

so as to form a siphon with any one of'the inlet pipes, and piping forming a second passage connected between the manifold and the outlet and containing a pump for starting the siphonic flow.

9. A tank vehicle having its tank body divided into a series of tank chambers of given capacity, with pockets in their bottoms, pipes mounted in the several chambers with their inlet ends in said pockets and thence extending upward through the top of the tank, lateral branches in continuation with said pipes, valves for opening and closing said branches independently, a manifold pipe extending longitudinally of the tank body and connected wit-h the several bran hes, a single outlet-on the vehicle connecte by a passage with the manifold pipe so as to form a siphon with any one of the inlet pipes, and piping forming a second passage connected between the manifoldand the outlet and containing a pump for starting the siphonic flow. I

10. A gasoline delivery vehicle having nmltiple-tank compartments, pipes in the respective compartments constituting intake limbs of a siphon, a delivery limb on the vehicle, and means interconnectin said intake limbs and the delivery limb, selectorvalves pertaining to the several tank compartments located in the upper partsof the siphon between the intake limbs and the delivery limb, and a pump on the vehicle adapted to start the -siphonic flow from any one of the compartments.

11. The combination with a tank sub-divided by partition plates intoa plurality of compartments of a siphon in each compartment having means for interrupting the flow therethrough, mechanism by which said How interrupting means may be remotely controlled, a common discharge pipe for said siphons, a pump for starting said siphons connected to said discharge pipe, and a bypass around said pump.

12. A liquid tank having a plurality of compartments, a discharge pipe for the tank connected to the several compartments, in-

dividual valves for controlling flow from the several compartments, remote control mechanism for said valves, siphon means for discharging the compartments, and means for initiating siphonie flow.

13. A liquid tank having a plurality of compartments, a discharge pipe for the tank connected to the several compartments, individual valves for controlling flow from the several compartments, siphon means for discharging the compartments, an outlet pipe from said siphon means, means in said outlet pipe for initiating siphonic flow, and a bypass connected to said outlet pipe on each side of said means.

14, A liquid tank having a plurality of compartments, a discharge pipe for the tank connected to the several compartments, in-

.pump for initiating siphonic flow, and a bypass connection around the pump.

16. A liquid tank having a plurality of compartments, a discharge pipe for the tank connected to the several compartments, individual valves for controlling flow from the several. compartments, siphon means for discharging the compartments, means for operatin the valves selectively at a point remote tierefrom, and means for initiating siphonio flow.

17. A liquid. tank having a plurality of compartments, a discharge pipe for the tank connected to the several compartments, a valve associated with eachcompartment for controlling flow therefrom, means for controlling the valves selectively at a point remote therefrom whereby the valves may be opened one at a time,'and means for initiating siphonie fiow from the selected compartment.

18. A liquid tank comprising a tank body subdivided into a plurality of compartments in a line, a discharge pipe having an outlet at one end of the tank, a valve associated with each compartment for controlling flow therefrom, means operable from one end of the tank for operating the valves selectively, and means disposed at'said end of the tank for initiating siphonie flow from a selected compartment.

19. A liquid tank comprising a tank body subdivided into a plurality of compartments in a line, a discharge pipe let at one end of the tank, a valve associated having an outwith each compartment for controlling flowtherefrom, means operable from one end of the tank for operating the valves selectively, siphon means for discharging the compartments, and a pump at said end of the tank for initiating siphonic flow.

20. A vehicle carrying as an integral part thereof a tank made up of a plurality of compartments, a siphon having a plurality of intake limbs terminating in different compartments and a single discharge limb, means for controlling flow from the individual compartments, and means connected to said discharge limb for initiating flow through the siphon.

21. A tank comprising a plurality of compartments, a siphon having a plurality of intake limbs terminating in different compartments, means for controlling flow from the individual compartments, selective mechanism for the control means operable at'a point remote therefrom, and means for initiating flow through the siphon.

22. A tank comprising a plurality of compartments, a siphon having a plurality of intake limbs terminating in diiferent compartments, valve means for controlling flow from the individual compartments, selective mechanism for said valve means operable at a point remote therefrom, and a pump for initiating flow through the siphon.

23. A. tank comprising a plurality ofcompartments, a siphon having a plurality of intake limbs terminating in different compartments, means for selectively controlling flow from the individual compartments, said selective means being operable at a point remote from said valves, means for initiating flow throu h the siphon, and a by-pass around sai means.

24. A vehicle carrying as an integral part thereof a tank comprising a plurality of compartments, a common delivery pipe'for the tank, means for initiating and maintaining siphonic flow from the compartments to the delivery pipe, and a plurality of selector valves interposed between the compartments and said means, said valves being independently operable at a point remote therefrom.

A vehicle carrying as an integral part thereof a tank made up of a plurality of compartments, a siphon having a plurality of intake limbs terminating in diiferent compartments and a single discharge limb, and means for initiating flow through the siphon, said means being connected to the discharge limb.

26. The combination of a tank, vertical partitions therein dividing the tank into a vplurality of compartments which have no openings therein except at the top,.a pipe extending down into each compartment from the top thereof to a point near the bottom, a valve controlling theflow through each of said pipes and located above the level of the liquid in the compartment controlled by that valve when the compartment is full,

FRED LAWRENCE HAYES. 

